Library FAQ
What technology areas are eligible under the STEP Scale Up call?
Digital and deep tech (advanced semiconductors, AI, quantum, advanced connectivity, sensing, robotics, autonomous systems), clean and resource-efficient technologies (solar, wind, batteries, heat pumps, hydrogen, sustainable fuels, CCUS, advanced materials, re...
Which areas of innovation does this Challenge focus on?
Design, manufacture, assembly and operation of vehicles and vessels to reduce environmental footprint; disruptive technologies for operational efficiencies and emission/noise reductions; sustainable fuels and retrofitting for hard-to-abate sectors; and digital...
Which European industrial partnerships will selected companies connect with?
Selected companies will become part of ecosystems under Clean Aviation, Towards zero-emission road transport (2ZERO), Connected, Cooperative and Automated Driving (CCAM), Zero-emission waterborne transport, Transforming Europe's rail system, and connections wi...
Who should consider applying to the STEP Scale Up call?
Scale-up SMEs and small mid-caps with game-changing innovations in STEP priority areas that have secured an initial investment, seek a major funding round, and whose commercialisation risks cannot be sufficiently financed by market investors.
Are digital tools like AI encouraged in biotechnology projects?
Yes, companies are encouraged to leverage digital tools such as AI to facilitate process development and integration into existing production systems.
How will companies supported under the Advanced Materials Challenge be integrated into the wider ecosystem?
Selected companies will become part of the wider advanced materials ecosystem fostered by actions in the Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership communication, including the IAM4EU co-programmed partnership.
What are the expected impacts of the biotechnology challenge?
Improved sustainability, efficiency and resilience of the EU agri-food sector, support for Europe’s strategic autonomy, and enhanced competitiveness to face climate and environmental challenges.
What assessment and market considerations are required for biotechnology projects?
All projects must provide a lifecycle assessment (environmental, social and economic), consider regulatory aspects and consumer acceptance, and articulate strategies for market entry within and beyond the EU.
What is the budget for GenAI4EU?
EUR 50 million.
What is the indicative budget for the Advanced Materials Challenge?
EUR 50 million.
What is the indicative budget for the biotechnology low-emission food and feed challenge?
EUR 50 million.
What is the objective of GenAI4EU?
To support start-ups and SMEs developing transformative, human-centric generative AI solutions that embody EU values, advance trustworthy AI, and strengthen Europe’s tech sovereignty.
What is the overall aim of the Advanced Materials Challenge?
To scale SMEs across the full value chain of advanced materials (design to production), and accelerate market uptake in four key application areas while addressing EU strategic autonomy and industrial dependency risks.
What outcomes are expected from the Advanced Materials Challenge?
Strengthened European value chains in the four application areas, a more diversified and digitally driven value chain, accelerated market uptake of advanced materials, and reduced dependence on imports of critical resources.
What problems in current GenAI does the challenge seek to address?
Unexplained inaccuracies (hallucinations), lack of transparency and accountability, and issues undermining trust, safety and reliability—especially in sensitive or safety-critical applications.
What specific activities does GenAI4EU support?
Further development and validation of new GenAI models; adapting existing models to sectors or data types for smaller/faster/energy-efficient deployment; and integrating and testing GenAI solutions in workflows, regulatory sandboxes and real-life settings incl...
What specific mitigation approaches does the biotechnology challenge prioritise?
Replacing fossil fuels in pesticide and fertiliser production; improving resource-use efficiency and climate-smart agriculture; mitigating ruminant enteric methane emissions; and expanding conventional food and feed production.
What specific technologies and activities are supported under the Advanced Materials Challenge?
Technologies for design, synthesis, characterisation, up-scaling and production of advanced materials, and scaling up processes to reach targeted functionalities or improved performance (e.g., surface functionalisation of nanoparticles, additive manufacturing...
What support and safeguards are provided under GenAI4EU?
Selected beneficiaries may receive favourable access to European supercomputing resources for training large models (AI Factories/EuroHPC), potential strategic partnerships and capital attraction, and access to or integration with European Open Science Cloud r...
What sustainability requirements apply to projects under the Advanced Materials Challenge?
Projects must minimise use of resources, particularly critical raw materials, and measure environmental footprint via life-cycle analysis that includes cost and social impact, following the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework.
What types of biotechnology solutions are start-ups and SMEs expected to focus on?
Biopesticides, bio-stimulants and microbial fertilisers; biotech supporting precision crop and livestock farming including new breeding technologies; ruminant methane mitigation (novel feeds, processing, additives, selective breeding compliant with EU welfare...
Which application areas does the Advanced Materials Challenge target?
Energy, mobility, electronics, and construction.
Which sectors and applications are priority focus areas for GenAI4EU models?
Healthcare (notably radiology), energy (power grid and renewables management), security (critical infrastructure), public sector, cultural and creative sectors, manufacturing, education, and science.
Why does the Work Programme target biotechnology for low emission food and feed production systems?
Because agriculture is a major source of EU greenhouse gas, methane and ammonia emissions and current practices harm biodiversity; supporting novel biotechnology solutions can substantially mitigate GHGs and environmental impacts.